If there’s one thing that Hollywood taught us over the years it’s that talent and creativity aren’t enough to succeed in show business. No matter how much potential you have, if it isn’t backed up with hard work and discipline — nothing can truly come out of it. Part of the success behind Dolly Parton’s career has been her focus on treating her music as a professional business.
In 2017, she told BBC News about the best career advice she ever received from her father. He told her never to let anyone take advantage of her especially when it came to business, so she treated music as a business. She explained that he wasn’t a very educated man but was very wise.
Parton Often Writes Songs While Traveling
With a busy touring schedule, a few companies to take care of, and loving family life, just where does Dolly get the time to write so many songs? The singer actually had a great answer to this and proved just how creative she can get when there’s something she wants to do.
Parton writes mainly when she's on the bus on tour. It's the only time she can really concentrate and dedicate herself to reading and writing. She writes almost every day — thoughts, songs, phrases, and dreams.
Her Hidden Source of Inspiration
The talented singer has been making music since she was just seven years old. It seems that her passion, creativity, and abilities are almost limitless, as she still continues to impress us even today. Many people wonder just where Dolly gets her inspiration motivation and drive from and she actually has a very interesting answer.
In 2014, Parton said in one interview that she had known for years that music was what she was purposed to do in life. That she has an inner voice that keeps telling her to go on and that nothing would ever stop her. Not a sickness nor a heartache would ever make her stop.
The World’s Most Iconic Cover
Dolly’s iconic song, "I Will Always Love You", remains one of the most recognizable lyrical performances of all time. It regained its popularity back in 1992 when Whitney Houston covered it for the popular action film "The Bodyguard". In fact, it reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 for 14 weeks. The song is also the world’s best-selling female single in history.
"I Will Always Love You" was later played at Houston’s funeral which almost broke the singer’s heart. Dolly said that when the coffin was lifted up she felt as if someone just stabbed her in the back. It was too much for her to handle. That song had an effect on most people she knew.
Dolly and Whitney's Relationship
Almost everyone will admit that Whitney Houston’s version of “I Will Always Love You” was not only much more successful but also better received than Dolly’s original rendition. This led tabloids and other gossip channels to create rumors that Dolly was jealous of Houston, and harbored ill feelings towards her. This wasn’t only inaccurate, it was actually the opposite of the truth.
Both Parton and Houston admired and loved each other. In 1993, Houston told Rolling Stone that she had personally thanked Parton at one point. Houston said that Paron thanked her and was honored that she covered her song.